STABILITY in the Middle East will not be achieved without securing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, said Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Mussallam yesterday.
He expressed his condemnation and denunciation of what the Palestinians were going through following a wave of violence unleashed against them by Israel.
Mr Al Mussallam was addressing the 147th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) being held in Luanda, Angola.
“What peace are we talking about in our conference here today when there are continuous violations of international law and the use of internationally prohibited weapons against the Palestinian people.
“We see the double standards being applied while dealing with the rights of the Palestinian people and the uninhibited violation of humanitarian law.”
He called on members of parliaments across the world, in their capacity as representatives of the people, to join hands and work together for peace, security and stability in all countries and societies.
He stressed the importance of protecting Palestinian civilians, de-escalation in the situation, lifting the siege and avoiding violence that threatens regional security and stability.
Bahrain’s Parliament, he said, adopted the contents of the speech of His Majesty King Hamad at the Cairo Summit recently, of categorical rejection of the displacement of the brotherly people of Gaza, and the importance of securing urgent humanitarian corridors to bring the necessary aid into the Gaza Strip, while stressing that the two-state solution is a real guarantee of coexistence in the region.
Earlier, Angolan President João Lourenço, during the opening session of the conference, affirmed his comprehensive support for the development of a peaceful political solution to the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and giving the Palestinian people all their rights, in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy.
Mr Al Mussallam pointed out that the sustainable development goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved until the war crimes against the Palestinian people, who are subjected to the most heinous forms of violations, killing, starvation, displacement, and collective punishment, continues.
He said the assembly session comes at a time of international developments and common humanitarian and economic challenges, affecting our present and the future of our generations, which underlines the importance of working to achieve the 16th SDG which is related to the promotion of peace, justice and strong institutions, and the need for an effective public administration, working for the benefit of all without exception.
He reiterated Bahrain’s affirmation that the best way to resolve crises and overcome challenges was by respecting international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and agreement on more effective mechanisms in order to avoid future conflicts, direct resources for the benefit of humanity and strengthen human solidarity, while consolidating the values and principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, civilisational and cultural dialogue, and strengthening popular partnership in national decision-making, through effective institutions in the state and civil society.
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